Sera devoured all the food Vince gave her. She ate without hesitation, starving. Vince sat in silence, watching her intently. There was satisfaction in his eyes as she finished every bite.
After eating, Sera slowly moved away from Vince. Her body remained tense. Even after being fed and offered a bed, fear still clung to her. She flinched every time Vince came closer.
"Th-Thank you for taking care of me today," Sera said softly, trying to be polite as she stood from the bed. "I… I'll leave now."
"Stop," Vince said firmly, halting her. "Who said you could leave?"
Sera froze. Vince stood tall and walked toward her until he loomed in front of her.
"You're not going anywhere," he said coldly. "You're staying here."
"B-But… what about my family? My aunt will—"
"Really?" he cut in, eyes sharp. "The same family that treated you like a slave? That hit you? Let you starve while forcing you to work for them?"
Sera went silent. Her heart wanted to argue, but her lips couldn't deny the truth.
"What did they ever give you? Food? Kindness? Nothing. They abused and discarded you. And you… still want to go back?"
"M-My aunt took me in after my parents died…" she whispered, trembling.
"Enough," Vince snapped. His voice was sharper now. "You're not going back there. You're staying here."
Sera froze in place. Vince took a deep breath, then said more gently, "I'm not going to hurt you. But you're not allowed to leave. Not yet."
"Why…?" Sera's breath caught.
"Because you belong to me now," he said, stepping closer. "And I don't let go of what's mine."
Sera stared at him—trembling, confused, broken. She didn't know what was more dangerous: the house where she was abused… or this man who dragged her into a darker world.
"Stay here. Don't go anywhere. I'll be back," Vince said as he stepped out and locked the door behind him.
Sera couldn't sleep that night. The silence in the mansion felt like a luxurious prison. Her body was clean, full, and rested… but her mind was restless.
Her heart pounded as her eyes scanned the room. No cameras. No guards.
Only one door and one window.
She tried the door. Locked.
Then she moved to the window, tried opening it—and it worked.
Her breath hitched. This… was her chance.
She looked down. Second floor. High. But she had to try. She bit her lip, gathered her courage, and jumped.
Her body hit the ground. Pain shot through her. Her ankle twisted, but she stood, biting back the agony. She limped forward, scanning her surroundings.
Her heart pounded, as if screaming in her chest.
Keep walking. Don't stop.
Then she saw it—a large gate leading out of the mansion.
Tears welled in her eyes. With whatever strength she had left, she ran toward it. The pain in her leg didn't matter. She was almost there.
But as her hand touched the gate—
"Going somewhere?"
The voice froze her.
She turned around slowly. Vince stood in the shadows. He wore a black shirt, sleeves rolled up, the tattoo on his arm sharp under the moonlight. His eyes? Calm. Too calm.
"I-I'm sorry. I was just—"
"Trying to escape."
His steps were slow but steady.
Sera began to shake. "I-I didn't mean—"
"Liar."
He got closer, his voice soft, yet menacing. "You planned this."
"I was scared!" Sera sobbed. "You brought me here without asking!"
"I saved you when you collapsed. I fed you. Cleaned you. Gave you a bed."
His tone darkened. "And you still tried to run."
He didn't rush, but every step made her retreat until she hit the gate. She couldn't run.
Vince reached out and touched her face. His fingers were cold, gentle—but full of control.
"I won't hurt you…" his voice was almost a whisper.
"Unless you force me."
He leaned in, eyes piercing hers.
"Try to escape again… and I'll become your worst nightmare."
Sera held her breath, trembling violently.
"Why… why are you doing this to me…?" she asked, voice breaking.
Vince didn't answer immediately. He looked into her eyes and said, "Because you're beautiful when you cry."
He grasped her wrist—not roughly, not to hurt, but firm. Strong. A warning.
"You're not a prisoner," he whispered. "Unless you make yourself one."
Tears streamed down her face. "I… I don't want to stay here…"
"Soon… you will," he whispered in her ear. "Very soon."
He let go of her wrist and stepped aside.
"Go back to your room, Sera. Before I lose my patience."
Her legs shook as she walked back inside. Vince followed her silently.
Once in her room, he locked the window, then locked the door from outside. In the hallway, he gave his order.
"Guard this door. Don't let her out again."
Without question, his man nodded and stood watch.
And Sera was alone again—locked in a golden cage, no longer sure who she could cry for help to.
Just as she sat back on the bed, trembling, she heard Vince's voice through the door—calm, but cold:
"Tomorrow... you'll start learning how to be mine."